Apparatus to enhance enjoyment from reading printed subject matter

Abstract

A handheld apparatus to enhance reading enjoyment of printed subject matter includes a housing member having a predetermined shape and a predetermined size. A micro-processing unit is disposed in the housing member. There is a power source disposed within the housing member. Such power source is connected to the micro-processing unit. A program containing at least a dictionary therein is disposed in the micro-processing unit. Additionally, there is a scanner disposed in the housing member that is in electrical communication with the power source and the micro-processing unit for scanning a printed word. Finally, there is a display screen disposed on a predetermined face of the housing member and in electrical communication with the power source and the micro-processing unit for displaying a definition of a scanned word.

1 . A handheld apparatus to enhance reading enjoyment of printed subject matter, said apparatus comprising:
 (a) a housing member having each of a predetermined shape and a predetermined size;   (b) a micro-processing unit, having a predetermined memory, disposed within said housing member;   (c) a power source disposed within said housing member and electrically connected to said micro-processing unit;   (d) a program containing at least a dictionary therein disposed in said micro-processing unit;   (e) a scanner disposed in said housing member and in electrical communication with said power source and said micro-processing unit for scanning a printed word; and   (f) a display screen disposed on a predetermined face of said housing member and in electrical communication with said power source and said micro-processing unit for displaying a definition of a scanned word.   
   
   
       2 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined shape of said housing member is generally rectangular. 
   
   
       3 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined size of said housing member is generally between about 2.0 to 3.0 inches wide and between about 4.0 and 5.0 inches long and between about 0.5 and 0.75 inch thick. 
   
   
       4 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said power source is one AC, DC and battery power. 
   
   
       5 . An apparatus, according to  claim 4 , wherein said power source is a battery. 
   
   
       6 . An apparatus, according to  claim 5 , wherein said battery is one of a rechargeable battery and a car battery. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus, according to  claim 6 , wherein said battery is a rechargeable battery. 
   
   
       8 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes a means connected to said micro-processing unit for verbalizing said definition of a scanned word. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus, according to  claim 8 , wherein said apparatus further includes a speaker connected to said micro-processing unit. 
   
   
       10 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said micro-processing unit further includes a thesaurus disposed therein. 
   
   
       11 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes a switch means connected between said power source and each of said micro-processing unit, said scanner and said display screen for turning said apparatus on and off. 
   
   
       12 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said display screen is a touch screen. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus, according to  claim 12 , wherein said touch screen includes a predetermined plurality of touch locations relating to a plurality of functions to be preformed by said apparatus. 
   
   
       14 . An apparatus, according to  claim 13 , wherein said predetermined plurality of functions are selected from the group consisting of dictionary, thesaurus, synonyms, voice activation, scanner, scroll and clear. 
   
   
       15 . An apparatus, according to  claim 15 , wherein said predetermined plurality of functions at least include a dictionary and clear. 
   
   
       16 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes a pair of scanning lights to accommodate both left and right handed users. 
   
   
       17 . An apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined memory of said micro-processing unit is at least sufficient to hold a college dictionary therein.